If you can get all your clothes into your carry on bag and use the coolers for your checked bags that would be the way to go.
If not just pay the extra, might not be to bad if you have a few guys to split it up with.
Although it doesn't guarentee that it will be with you when you land.
I came back from OCI one time, get into Vancouver, checked my bag and 1 cooler, paid the extra for the 2nd cooler.
Arrive in Edmonton, NO FISH, NO BAGGAGE
After exchanging a few choice words with the Air Canada folks, I wait for the next flight to come in. Still no fish.
I leave a cell# with them. They will put my fish on a Courier and ship them to my place.
I stop for a beer in Ft Sask, get a call from the woman driving the courier. She has my fish and is looking for directions to my house. I meet up with her in the Fort and get my fish and bag.
Told her to make sure she charges Air Canada mileage all the way to Cold Lake.
Gave her a couple slabs of Halibut and she left a happy woman.
I had one other disaster when I had some fish shipped out of Prince Rupert. The lady told me it would be sent out on a courier, she decided to throw it on Greyhound. Well that might have been OK but Rupert to Cold Lake is hardly a direct route. Fish sat in Edmonton for a day then another day in Bonnyville before I was notified.
I was a little PIZZZZZED off with the woman in Rupert, but I will know better next time.
One other option is St Jean's in Nanimo. A little PRICY but I have never had any problems with them. Have used them several times.
Try getting some Smoked, Canned Salmon, pretty good stuff.
Sorry about getting long winded but I know a guy spends a lot of cash on these trips and it's nice to have little something to show from them.